Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe calls election

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has called a snap general election following the release of surprise data showing the world’s third-largest economy is in recession. The downturn in July-September has thrown Mr Abe’s ambitious plans to revive the economy into doubt and prompted his critics to declare his strategy dead. Mr Abe is gambling that with Japan’s political opposition in disarray, voters will return him to power with a mandate to push on with unpopular policies. Apec meetings improve China’s links to neighbouring economies Election looms as Japan unexpectedly slips into recession China and Japan hold breakthrough talks in Beijing His conservative government wants…